MLAs to get 'Indigenous boot camp' this fall, says minister at Treaty 6 Recognition Day

Alberta MLAs will be undergoing an “Indigenous boot camp” in the fall, says Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson.

Wilson announced the news as officials from all three levels of government and chiefs from the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations gathered Friday morning to mark Treaty No. 6 Recognition Day in Edmonton,

The day acknowledges the signing of Treaty 6 between the Plains and Wood Cree people and the Crown on Aug. 23, 1876, as well as the signing of and adhesion to Treaty 6 by Cree, Saultaux and Nakota Sioux chiefs on Aug. 21, 1877.

Wilson remarked during the ceremony at city hall that his government is engaged with partnerships and prosperity with Indigenous people.

Mayor Don Iveson (left) reads a proclamation to Grand Chief Dr. Wilton Littlechild during the 7th annual Treaty No. 6 Recognition Day in commemoration of the signing of Treaty No. 6 and acknowledge the ongoing Treaty relationship between the City and First Nations partners in Edmonton, on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. Photo by Ian Kucerak/Postmedia

However, the UCP has been criticized in the past for effectively discontinuing land acknowledgments that in part, recognize the treaties between First Nations in Alberta and the Crown.

In May, Wilson had said the government was leaving it up to MLAs as to whether or not they will verbally do a land acknowledgment.

When asked after Friday’s ceremony about the discontinuing of land acknowledgments, Wilson said he and Premier Jason Kenney still do land acknowledgments and that it’s “never been an actual policy in the legislature.”

And he added that MLAs will be participating in an “Indigenous boot camp” in the fall where elders from Treaty 6 will be brought in and he anticipates more information about the importance of land recognitions will be heard then.

The River Cree Drummers perform the flag song at the 7th annual Treaty No. 6 Recognition Day in commemoration of the signing of Treaty No. 6 and acknowledge the ongoing Treaty relationship between the City and First Nations partners in Edmonton, on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. Photo by Ian Kucerak/Postmedia

“We tell people a little bit about what to expect if they go to a powwow, how to react, if they bring gifts, not bring gifts, what’s the proper protocols and how to say a recognition because they’re different in different areas,” said Wilson.

“We have Treaty 6, 7, and 8 of course and we’ve also got the Métis people and we have to recognize them as well. It’s just the whole protocol around what’s involved and being part of the whole Indigenous community.”

When the NDP was in power, they launched a training program aimed at educating more than 27,000 public servants about Indigenous history.

Treaty 6 First Nations Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild said Treaty No. 6 Recognition Day is important as it’s a time for reflection on the original partnership that started in 1876.

“We’ve been able to remind each other of the special relationship that we’ve had. This year it’s additionally important because we’ve included the mayors of municipalities of Treaty 6, which in many cases are our closest neighbours,” said Littlechild.

“It’s a coming together which is actually a call from Treaty 6 that we continue to work together, so it’s important.”

As for land acknowledgments, Littlechild said they are important because it’s a way to recognize the spiritual relationship with the land. He said he hopes the UCP will change its stance.

The flag of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations is raised during the 7th annual Treaty No. 6 Recognition Day in commemoration of the signing of Treaty No. 6 and acknowledge the ongoing Treaty relationship between the City and First Nations partners in Edmonton, on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. Photo by Ian Kucerak/Postmedia

“I think there’s been some change, the premier himself makes a special point of doing that now publicly whenever he speaks. I think Minister Wilson does that and also other ministers,” said Littlechild.

“It’s important when they do that in public, especially for the young people, the children. For example in the schools, they begin to understand we have this partnership, we have this relationship and it’s a friendship. It’s about peace and friendship.”

The province held its own Treaty 6 flag-raising ceremony at the Federal Building later Friday morning.

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